The 1979 Dodge Aspen wagon could be had with 3 different size engines, such as the old-faithful Slant Six, or a pair of V8s were also available, including the 318 or 360 varieties. Although this one was born with the middle-of-the-road 318, the car now has a 360 under the hood with a few extra goodies attached, with very few miles traveled since the rebuild was completed. If you’ve been in the market for a vintage wagon with some extra kick, this 1979 Dodge Aspen might fit the bill nicely. It’s located in Buffalo, New York, and can be checked out here on eBay. So far, the current bid of $8,600 isn’t enough to lure the owner to let this one go, with the pesky reserve not met still showing. However, if you’re really feeling this cool woody, there’s also the chance to buy it now for $11,500.
The 360 in the bay is a 1978 date code, certainly not a bad choice for its time, but the owner wanted a higher level of performance than this one could give in stock form. During the overhaul, a hotter cam was added, along with a double-roller timing chain. On top, a 1971 intake manifold from a 340 was put on, including a Thermoquad 4-barrel carburetor. Shifting is provided by a rebuilt 904 TorqueFlite automatic, with the owner claiming that the wagon now has lots of power. There should be plenty of life left too, as it’s been driven fewer than 2,000 miles since all this work was done.
Before his acquisition, the seller mentions that the Aspen sat in a garage for more than 35 years, with the body appearing to remain in good condition overall. Even the paint seems to be in decent shape, and although the finish has had some touch-ups over the years and the wood decals are fading in a few areas, the outside appearance seems more than adequate for a driver. This one’s also got a roof rack, so there’s plenty of extra cargo room available, plus the rally wheels add a sporty visual touch as well. That’s also a new set of tires all the way around.
New carpeting can be found inside, but the seats are original and appear to be well-preserved for their age. Most of the interior components get a clean bill of health, with the A/C stated to be blowing cold air and the cruise control functioning properly, along with all of the dash lights working. The seller says a lot more money has been spent here than he’s asking, and I’m not finding very much not to like about this somewhat souped-up 1979 Dodge Aspen station wagon. How about you?
It’s a nice sleeper! With the upgrades
I’ll never understand people that take nice cars like this and devalue them by putting a non-original engine in them. I can understand if the old engine was needingreplaced swapping in another 318. But why change the car, when it’s this nice??? Or WAS this nice! And the 318 is a great engine, too!
To each his/her own. I like it just fine.
Actually it increased the value in my opinion. This wagon will never be collectible, it will be driven and enjoyed since it is fun to drive.
I’d toss in some lower gears in the rear and an overdrive automatic to make it even more fun
If it was a 1969 Z28, then yes matching numbers matters.
An original car will always be worth more. And it most certainly IS a collectible. Station wagons of all makes are in high demand. This one has been ruined.
the 360 was available and a 318 wasn’t? besides unless you were told, you can’t tell them apart visually. the only real difference is internal vs external balancing of the motor. the 360 needs a weighted torque convertor. besides that with the hitch hanging out back the extra grunt of the 360 was probably welcome.
I’m a real stickler for “originality”. This is a very simple factory swap out using what would have been available at the time. Ruined, I think not!
It’s worth whatever someone will pay for it. If I had the space (and the permission of the Dragon Lady!) I’d give more for it like it is than I would if it still had the 318. As Fred said, it’ll never really be a collectable, but the 360 would make it more fun to drive.
If the car presents as well in person as it does in the pictures it’s a pretty good deal. The modifications were well thought out and executed. It should be a fun car to drive.
The eBay listing no longer shows it has a reserve or a BIN price. The high bid currently sits at $9,000, whatever the high bid is will take it home.
Steve R
This car would still be boring if it was equipped with a 440 six pack.
That’s the beauty of it.
Having been subjected to a Volare as a kid, “boring” is accurate. “Nightmare” might be applicable as well. My grandpa’s Pinto was more reliable.
I concur. My childhood is filled with memories of being stuck on the side of the road in our Volare wagon. Years of an undiagnosed bad lean burn system was the culprit.
Once properly diagnosed and fixed it was a nice car. 1976 Premier white with cranberry interior. 318 car that my parents bought in the fall of 1975 so an early production car. It was destroyed in an accident not long after being fixed
A psychologist one said an intelligent person would never be bored. Even in jail, Remember The Bordman of Alcatraz?
To quote Steve R, “there are a lot more exciting cars that I can purchase for $9,000.
Like what? With the prices decent cars are bringing now, this car is pretty cool, and I never gave these a second look when they were new.
Jack M. Please don’t make things up and attribute them to me.
Steve R
Steve R, I remember numerous times where you say the market for hobby cars is softening and your $5,000- $10,000 could be better spent on a different car. Or there must be a few people using Steve R on this site.
Tony, that is true, I’ve said the market is softening , especially for cars without a strong following, but have only made those comments when it comes to cars that have a set price, not auctions without a reserve. This car is going to sell, bidders set the price, regardless of what I personally think it’s worth, the market will determine what it sells for.
Steve R
No, fortunately there’s only one…🙄
You should be honoured that your automotive knowledge is being shared across the internet.
I thought these were the perfect size for many young households. Too bad they were such a disaster when introduced. The transverse torsion bars made them good handlers. You should get some lively performance from the 360.
Wonderful and AFFORDABLE toy…
If you are whining about the originality of a 1979 Aspen station wagon,
YOU are the miserable old fart in the room.
Wait a minute, that’s MY position!
All I know is I love this car. If I could buy it, I would just pay the BIN price, and be a very happy camper. Yes it has been modified but that is the beauty of it. I think some of you guys have no creativity or imagination.
These handle remarkably well, by this year the bugs that plagued the 76/77 were ironed out. My mother bought one new in 76, beautiful car out of the box, but the unfixable problems soon developed. Very responsive with the 318, I can only imagine the extra grunt the 360 gave it. If it was reasonably priced, could be a good value.
Like what? With the prices decent cars are bringing now, this car is pretty cool, and I never gave these a second look when they were new.
I ordered one, its brother, the Volare wagon, as it was the company car it had to be a Chrysler(our largest customer for heat exchangers) and it was the only vehicle I was allowed that could be ordered with a stick – a manual the Ram Charger had the ‘wrong image’. The wagon was terrific and only had one problem with the New Process 4-speed requiring a tow when it locked up in 2nd gear. Overall a very nice vehicle
The F body cars were designed well, but the parts were cheap. My 76 Aspen R/T the door handle broke off in two days, the power window switch in the passenger side quit working in less than two months, water leak under the dash was never found. The 318 crank Broke in half in 15,000 miles. The 904 trans never would shift properly.
All the American auto manufacturers made junk back in the 70s. The Japanese forced to improve their products or face being put out of the market. This trend continued up into the 90s, then their products got to be as good as any of the foreign makers. They appear to be on a downward spiral again though. IMHO, it’s because of trying to follow the dictates of a bunch of bureaucrats that neither know how to run a business or build a car.
They were so throttled back due to epa restrictions lack of power was absurd, bogg down on an incline. Hated it.
cool woodie. would love to have. bit high on the price for an aspen but it is what it is.
The panel fit between the RH door and front fender is indicative of the quality of these cars. After the A body success story, these were a huge disappointment. Pass.
At least we know there is a 360 4 barrel decal out there…
Mid size wagon like this are great cars to own. I had a very nice 1978 Ford Fairmont wagon with the straight six (200 CID?) and the C4. Great driving car and bulletproof. This one was bought off a neighbor who first got it as a company car and later bought it. It was spotless despite having 125K+ miles on it as he was very particular about care and maintenance. I would have LOVED to have it with a 5.0, built C4 and a 8.8 posi. This Aspen is going to make somebody very happy, I wish it were me…
SOLD for 9K.